Alarm over ‘inequities' in global nursing
Every year on May 12, countries around the world come together to celebrate Nurses Day, recognising the profession's significant impact on the economy, society, and culture. This day also promotes the acceptance, support and inclusion of nurses on a global scale.
Established formally in 1965, the observance was further solidified in 1974 when May 12 was designated as the fixed date to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, widely regarded as the pioneer of modern nursing. Over the years, this day has grown and evolved into a global event.
Not only did Florence Nightingale set standards for healthcare and nursing in medical camps and hospitals during the Crimean War, but she also established a nursing school in 1860 to provide training for aspiring nurses and healthcare workers.
This year, the day was observed under the theme 'Our Nurses. Our Future: Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies,' which highlights the importance of promoting the support to the patient's family.
True to their calling, nurses stand by individuals during the most vulnerable moments of life. When a crisis occurs and the feelings strike and you can't care for yourself, nurses are there to care for you. They dedicate themselves to those in greatest need, regardless of the risks involved.
Apart from their roles as health professionals, they also offer emotional support to the patient's family. Frequently, they assume the roles of a friend, sibling, neighbour or someone who is always available to address questions or concerns. They are usually the best cheerleader and support system patients have!
They listen to patients and assess their physical, emotional, cultural, mental and spiritual needs. In the current healthcare system, nurses are among the most trusted healthcare professionals and play a significant role in the treatment and medical care of the sick.
Nurses contribute immensely to our lives. As they assist in bringing new life into the world, we should celebrate them not only for their extensive skills and capabilities but also for the dedication and hard work they invest to make it all possible.
As the backbone of healthcare, nurses should be granted positions of greater influence - particularly in the areas of quality care, health policy planning and management, wellness promotion and efficiency improvement.
According to the State of the World's Nursing 2025 report, published by the World Health Organization in partnership with the International Council of Nurses, the global nursing workforce has increased to 29.8 million in 2023, up from 27.9 million in 2018.
The report emphasises the critical importance of a healthy nursing workforce in delivering high-quality care, enhancing healthcare systems, and bolstering economic resilience on a global scale. The report suggests that the global nursing shortfall could approach 4.5 million practitioners by the year 2030.
At the same time, the report reveals intricate disparities between and among countries, regions, and socio-economic contexts.
'Inequities in the global nursing workforce leave a significant portion of the world's population without access to essential health services, which could jeopardise progress toward universal health coverage and health-related development goals,' the report states.
Mental health and workforce well-being continue to be significant concerns. Only 42 per cent of responding countries have established provisions for supporting nurses' mental health, despite the increased workloads and trauma experienced during and since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During this period of devastation, nurses constituted the majority of the medical workforce. They played a crucial role during the pandemic as frontline workers in patient care within hospitals and were actively engaged in evaluating and monitoring the community. They demonstrated remarkable courage, adaptability, and creativity in this battle!
Findings also suggest that one in seven nurses worldwide - and 23 per cent in high-income countries - are foreign-born, highlighting the reliance on international migration. In contrast, the proportion is significantly lower in upper middle-income countries at 8 per cent, lower middle-income countries at 1 per cent and in low-income countries at 3 per cent.
Samuel Kutty
The writer is a freelance journalist and author who worked in Oman and India
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